Protein Bars & Weight Loss

If you have been trying to lose weight for any amount of time, then chances are you have seen many diets...and many wild claims about how much weight you can lose on them. One of the recent diets to really catch on is the low-carb/high-protein diet. While there is still some debate as to the long-term results of such a diet, it's difficult to argue with results. A lot of people are using protein bars for weight loss.

But why protein? The answer really has more to do with how the body handles carbohydrates. Some carbs are more readily converted to fat, but protein isn't. Therefore, increasing your protein intake helps you to lose weight. That being said, you still need to get some carbohydrates, but they need to be the right kind. (This is a simplification, but will do for our purposes.)

Not all protein bars are created equal, so be sure to always read the label carefully. Some are nothing more than glorified candy bars that have a bit of extra protein added; they are loaded with sugar and don't have a lot of nutritional value. It should go without saying that those are the bars to avoid. You should look for protein bars that have plenty of protein (10-20grams), lower carbs (0-10grams), vitamins and minerals. Fiber is good--though not necessary--because it will help you to feel fuller.

Your body always needs protein, but if you’re working out, your body needs more than what your used eating.  But don’t worry about “bulking up” … unless your really consuming a lot or extra protein; which would be close to an EXTRA 150grams per day.  Plus, you’d really have to be lifting weights for 2-3 hours per day to even absorb it.

While there are a lot of tasty options, you can't live on protein bars. You should try to eat well-balanced meals and get your calories from more natural foods whenever possible. There's nothing wrong with having protein bars every day; especially if you are doing a vigorous workout routine.   And they are a much better choice than a lot of other snack foods. They make an excellent mid-morning treat or an after workout recovery snack; which is when your body is most ready to metabolize the new protein.  This can really help you with your weight loss efforts.